Orphans of the Storm® Dogs Want to Ring in the New Year with You!

At the end of each year, I like to revisit some of Orphans of the Storm®’s dogs who have been waiting a little longer than most for their turn at a forever home. The list below is by no means complete, and these dogs have waited anywhere from a couple months to several years. I spent a few hours with them this week and we had a great time walking around the woodland preserve and hanging out in the off-leash run.

Zoey the five-year-old American Staffordshire Terrier mix knows her basic commands. She can sit, heel, drop, come, and probably some others I haven’t tried out myself yet. She also likes to play and is happiest when she has a toy with her. I’ve heard some people hypothesize that Zoey is part Husky (due to her coloring), which makes sense to me because she loves to run. One of Zoey’s endearing traits is that her teeth chatter when she’s excited.

Zoey

Bella the twelve-year-old Boxer mix is one of my favorites, and she has been for a long time. I take her out almost every week now. Bella is one of the biggest dogs at the shelter, but she’s very easy to walk. Since she’s older, she’ll let you know when she’s walked long enough and is ready to turn back. But she does enjoying spending time outside, even if it’s just laying in the yard. Bella isn’t a fan of other dogs and would need to be the only pet in her new home, but she loves people and will give you plenty of affection.

Bella

Lucy the fourteen-year-old Staffordshire Bull Terrier mix does not act her age at all, so don’t dismiss her as being a couch potato. Lucy walks at a quick pace (and will occasionally even run for a bit) and jumps on and off benches with ease. Lucy is a big snuggler and will plop herself into your lap and wriggle around excitedly while giving you lots of doggy kisses. She makes funny snuffling noises when she’s happy, and several volunteers refer to her as “the alien” because of her cute bulging eyes.

Lucy

John Boy the four-year-old Labrador Retriever mix is a great walking companion. He’ll jump up and down in excitement when he realizes it’s his turn to go out, but once the leash is on, he settles down and just enjoys being out and about. John Boy enjoys a good scratch on the back. He’ll sniff your face a bit and once he decides that you’re worthy, he’ll gladly give you doggy kisses. John Boy would do best in an adult-only home with experienced dog owners who can make sure John Boy lives up to his potential for being a great pet.

John Boy

Noah the two-year-old Hound mix is another great leash-walker. We took a nice stroll around the woodland preserve and stopped every once in a while for a pat on the back or scratch under the chin. Noah isn’t overly affectionate (in that he won’t cover your face with doggy kisses all the time like some other dogs would), but he will stay by your side and join you on the couch. Noah would prefer to be the only dog in an adult-only home.

Noah

Sammy the two-year-old Labrador Retriever mix loves to play tug-of-war, but she doesn’t really care about winning. Every time I let go of the toy, she would stop and look at me like, “Hey, that’s not how it works,” and then poke me with the end of the toy so I would grab it again. She knows commands like “sit” and “shake” and can even catch treats in midair. Sammy is a big-time snuggler and will attempt to climb into your lap whenever she gets the opportunity.

Sammy

Some other long-timers who would like to make 2017 the year they find their forever home are: